A student tries to balance the equation Fe + H2O → Fe3O4 + H2 and writes the following step: Fe + H2O4 → Fe3O4 + H2 Which statement best explains why this step is INCORRECT?
It changes the composition of water
While balancing a chemical equation, only the coefficients in front of formulae may be changed; the subscripts inside a formula must never be altered.
Changing H2O to H2O4 alters the subscript of oxygen, which turns water into a different (non-existent) substance.
The correct approach is to use coefficients: 3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2.
Hence, the answer is it changes the composition of water.
Similar Questions
If a piece of aluminium is added to iron(II) sulphate (FeSO4) solution, what will happen?
Balance the following reaction:
\(3\,\text{MnO}_2\,(s) + x\,\text{Al}\,(s) \rightarrow 3\,\text{Mn}\,(l) + y\,\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3\,(s) + \text{Heat}\)
What type of ions exchange between reactants in a double displacement reaction?
Which of the following is a chemical change?
What is generally produced when a metal reacts with an acid?
What is the primary purpose of anodising aluminium?
The gas evolved when calcium reacts with water is:
When hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium chloride and water, which type of reaction is primarily demonstrated?
What is formed when carbon burns in oxygen?
What is the primary chemistry behind a displacement reaction?
Important Questions from Chemical Reaction
Which of the following statement is/are true?
I. In physical change new substance is formed. substance is formed.
II. In chemical change no new substance is formed.
Which of the following cells involves similar chemical reactions?
The information not obtained from balanced chemical equation is
Oxygen cannot be obtained by which one of the following methods?
Which of the following compound is responsible for tarnishing of silver?
